Stoking animosity with Europe has been a winner for the PM. But this time, it could work to Labour’s advantage
When in trouble, Boris Johnson flees to his comfort zone. Just as Brexit havoc made him, so Brexit mayhem may yet save him. Johnson may hope to turn up the heat under that cauldron to provoke retaliatory action from the EU, which he could then blame on Brussels and President Macron. But this will be nothing more than a seductive distraction from his battalion of troubles.
This week, Johnson may have felt intimations of political mortality as his loyal press turned on him over charges of government corruption: it was not just the Daily Mail and Sun, but even the Express. Today the Spectator’s editor excoriates Johnson’s “court of chaos”. Johnson sent Tory MPs out to shame themselves by voting for sleaze in parliament and sewage in the rivers. Now, they may not obey him so readily. He has already betrayed those on his party’s right and left with his machinations, leading his MPs through 43 dizzying U-turns. His popularity is at a record net -27 low, and his party’s lead has been lost. So where does he turn?
Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist
